I am going to run the Double Trouble. I have never run it before though so I am not quite sure what to expect...it will be interesting to see how it goes for me...it will be the longest trail run I have done.

I am fortunate to be able to run at French Creek nearly four times per week. The trails in sections are extremely rocky. There is a good sized climb to the fire tower around 4.5 miles into it before the first water stop. Then back down and around the base of fire tower hill. Then the course used to climb up to fire tower again. The trail there has been closed for a year due to erosion, I’m not sure if they plan on using that same section. If so, from the last water stop there is about 1.5 miles of foot flying fun down to Hopewell Lake to the finish. It’s a good time all around. There are some really good trail runners who show up there and I suspect it will grow.

It originally looked like they would have to change the course, because of the closed trail. However, Ron Horn had some new info about that in the 05/16 Pretzel City Sports Newsletter:

quote:

I've gotten some indication that the new "white" trail in French Creek will be done by the date of the Double trouble so we probably will NOT have to revise the course or distance. There is also an outside chance that an old trail is being "renewed" up toward the fire tower. If so, we may even be able to eliminate the 300 yards that you have to run on road. Keep your fingers crossed and don't forget to get your apps in for this event.

That’s great to hear. And as far as that section of road at the top of fire tower; I have been trying to locate that section of red trail several times now, the one that avoids the road. That must be the one they are repairing. Take a look at this. It is the PDF from DCNR of French Creek. I took it and marked the double trouble course. http://hammitup.com/Double%20Trouble%20Trail%20Map.pdf[/URL" target="_blank">

As far as the French Creek trail race, definitely sounds interesting. I live about an hour away, so probably could not make it out there too often, but would be interested in the informal races. Any chance of doing multiple loops for ultra distances?

I really want to run more ultras (so far, just did the Blues Cruise 50k last year), but it is hard for me to travel too far for races and there does not seem to be much close by (other than Blues Cruise). So would be quite nice to have some more ultra options nearby, even if of the "fat a$$" variety...

loppy- check out Fingerlake 50's in Hector, NY at the end of the month. I think it was about 3 hours for me to drive, i live near Valley Forge.

I may do another informal midnight training run this summer (had one in February with 12 people showing up!) but extend it longer than the other one. This one may be closer to 10 hours, rather than 12-5 or 6am.

Never ran the DT before but am using it as a training run for Half Wit Half. I plan on kicking HWH's butt!!!!

Still running the roads during the week and running the trail on long run on Sunday. I am sticking with Hal's training program, so the miles are low in the begining. It feels weird to do only 6 miles for a long run, but I want to stick with the schedule.

Found another trail today and about halfway into it I thought it was too rough for running and found myself slowing down to manage to rocky path, running up steep hills or jumping downed trees. However after reading robhamm, it sounded like it was probably very appropriate for training. Ran 6 m with my dog. I started at 6:30 am and we had the whole place to ourselves. No one was on the trails. Very nice!!

Robhamm - thanks for the map. It has been about 30 years since I have been to French creek, so I wasn't sure what to expect.

Hello all - I think we are about two weeks away!! Did another trail run Sunday, however trail was packed with bikes. Had to keep stopping to let the pass. Poisen Ivy is all over and the paths are really narrow. Technu seems to be working, since I don't have any yet.